And Then ... Farewell (Beginnings Series Book 22)

by Jacqueline Druga

Dean’s mouth swished in debate. “You know what? Yeah. That will work. Thanks.” He took off his lab coat. “Frank, can you get me if you don’t hear from me by three?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Thanks, guys.” Dean laid down his coat. “El, good job on the project.” And walked out.

  “You and me.” Ellen stepped to Frank. “The big day today.”

  “Oh, yeah, I have been fucking waiting on this forever. Wait. Wait until you see how good I look.”

  “Wait until you see how good I look.”

  “Baby, you can wear rags and still look good. And …” He darted a kiss to her cheek. “I am heading down to the communications room to eat up some time too.”

  “Nervous?”

  “Excited. We’re only on page like 50 of the 1000 uplink book.”

  “Good luck,”

  “Time flies when we’re working on it.” Frank walked to the open Cryo door. “And shut this.”

  “I will. We had it opened because we had a dead rabbit in here for a day.”

  “See ya’ at the house. Don’t be late.”

  “Please, me? You.”

  “Me?” Frank laughed. “El, I love you. I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”

  “I love you, too, Frank.”

  After one more smile, Frank left, pulling the door closed, then Ellen returned to her work.

  ****

  “You have to love the return of the dry cleaners,” Hal said, hanging up his freshly pressed and recently cleaned uniform. He hung it on the back of the closet door. “I did the honor of picking up yours, Jimmy.”

  “Huh? Jimmy peered up from the computer. “Hal, I …”

  “Although I hate the naval mess dress, and … Good God, look at your glasses.” He reached down, took the glasses off of Jimmy’s face, huffed on the lenses and wiped then. “When is the last time you cleaned them.”

  “I don’t recall. Hal, I …”

  “Jimmy. Do you know what time it is?”

  “No. I …”

  “It’s eleven o’clock. The wedding is in six hours.”

  “Great, I have time. I found something.”

  “You cracked the code.”

  “No, last night I left and went to the office supply store that Danny has sealed up. I have this idea, it may work. I got an audio decoder program. If it doesn’t decode it, it may help some. I splice the video for the part about dad and I will concentrate on that first and …”

  “Jimmy, that’s great.” Hal smiled. “You know what else would be great.”

  “Me cracking the message,”

  “Aside from that. A haircut.”

  “Why do I need a haircut?”

  “There are several reasons,” Hal said. “One, your hair is long. Two, it’s too long. Three your brother’s wedding …”

  Jimmy reached up and touched his hair. “Is it that bad?”

  “Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

  “No.”

  “It’s that bad.”

  “Okay, but what can I do about it now?” Jimmy asked as his hands fiddled with the software and the plastic that encased it.

  “Get it cut. Bentley is in town for another hour. Go now, he’ll squeeze you in.”

  “You can’t be sure.”

  “Yes, I can,” Hal nodded. “I already spoke with him.”

  “Okay, I’ll go after I try …:”

  “No,” Hal took the software. “Go now. He’s waiting and if you get caught up, you’ll miss him and I knock you out and shave you bald. Your choice.”

  Jimmy reached for the software. “Let me open that.”

  “It’ll be open and waiting when you get back.”

  Jimmy stared, then he bit his nails. Eyes focused on the software.

  “Jimmy, this is not a drug. Quit staring at it like I took your fix. Go.”

  “Let me just open it and load it. It’ll only take a minute.”

  “Then if it will only take a minute, it shouldn’t be a problem to do it when you get back. “

  “I hate to go and leave …”

  “Jimmy. At the most it’s forty-five minutes. Do you really think it’s gonna make that big of a difference. If it does, leave the wedding forty minutes early, or cut forty minutes off your sleep. But for God’s sake, get a fucking hair cut for your brother’s wedding. Do it now. Take a break.”

  Jimmy nodded and sighed out. “You’re right. Where is he?”

  “Barber Shop, one block down the street.”

  Another nod and Jimmy walked to the door. “And you’ll have that opened.”

  “Good God, Jimmy, it’ll will be open along with the case and waiting on you.”

  “Thanks, Hal, see you in a bit ... With short hair.” Jimmy winked.

  The door closed.

  Hal exhaled. “Thank God.” With a shake of his head, just so he didn’t hear any backlash, Hal opened the software.

  ****

  The door was ajar? Dean reached for the knob of his front door and paused. Had he been so absentminded that he forgot to close the door? Just as he went to push it open, he heard an excuse me from behind him.

  Richie side stepped by him holding a box.

  “What the hell?” Dean walked in. As soon as he did, the drilling sound filled the air.

  “Looking good Henry.” Richie said to Henry who was on a ladder. “A little to the left.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I’m moving in today, don’t you remember?” Richie asked.

  “No, you are not moving in,” Dean said. “I live alone.”

  “Not anymore.”

  “Henry what are you putting on my wall.”

  “Track lighting. This house is too dark and Richie has all those paintings Forrest did.”

  Dean shook his head. “Track lighting. Figures. Richie you can’t move in.”

  “Uh, Dean, yeah I can. Stephen and Bill are rooming now with the shared kid. I’m out. You can’t live alone. Rules are rules. Joe said.”

  “Joe said you can move in?”

  “We left you a note, didn’t you get it?”

  “No.”

  Richie shrugged. “Too bad. Anyhow, have to go get one more box.”

  “Stop.”

  “Nope ... Roomie.” Richie smiled. “Joe said.”

  “Joe said.” Dean nodded. “Fine. Joe said. I’m killing him.” He turned and walked out. No sooner did he do so, he yawned loudly and it made him pause. He looked back at his house in contemplation of going back in. But then he heard the drilling. “Fuck it.” There were quieter places to sleep. Dean would. He just had to deal with Joe first.

  ****

  The coffee was good. Joe increasingly grew impressed with the bakery’s ability to brew a good cup. He stopped by for a donut and coffee, but they were low stocked on everything. The wedding was the reason, plus he got a sneak peak at the cake and a taste of the icing.

  It was a good morning.

  “Richie, I’ll handle it when I see him, yes.” Joe nodded as he spoke on the phone, set down his cup, and upped his chin to peer at the computer screen through his half square glasses. “Get settled. Dean has to recall the rules, that’s all. Thanks.”

  Rolling the phone from his ear, Joe caught it and hung up. Hand on the keys, he began to type, a few strokes and the phone rang again. “Christ.” He picked up the receiver. “Hello. Hey, Jason.” Joe balanced the phone between his shoulder and ear. “Working on a few things. Yeah. Social Hall?” Joe looked at his watch. “Yeah, I can do for a little pre celebration drink. As long as I get home by two to change. Yep, Gonna be a good time. I can’t wait. Last wedding was when Jimmy got married. Okay, I’ll call when I’m done.” He hung up blindly, and focused on the screen. “Now, where was I?” he exhaled and started to type.

  Again, the phone rang.

  “Christ.” Joe answered it. “Yeah.” He said as he put the phone to his ear and shoulder. “Andrea …. Working.” He started to type again. “Sorry, Andrea, I want to take off
tomorrow and I have a lot to do. Like what? Reports. Requisitions. Distribution and a few appointments. People want to talk. Air things out. I always do complaints on Saturdays.” He paused while she griped about the nerve of people to do such a thing. “I have no idea what would possess them to do it on the wedding day. I don’t know. An hour or so. I’ll be home by two. I have to wait here anyhow until Jenny comes up with the kids on that field trip. She wants to interview me.” Joe sat back and chuckled “I know. Okay, see ya soon. Love you, too.” He shook his head with a smile and hung up the phone.

  Once more he started to type. He was on a roll. Then the phone rang.

  “Son of a bitch, I‘m never getting my email done.” Joe answered. “What is it? I’m busy.” Joe nodded. “Yes. Dan … sorry, men have to work. Didn’t Frank do schedules to divide up reception time? I’m sure he did. Look. You’ll find them. Bye.”

  Joe hung up.

  He hit the send button. “One more,” he spoke to himself out loud. He was in good mood. The wedding was the reason and probably the mood gave him a push to send emails to everyone. He hadn’t done so, nor had he taken the time to appreciate the positive side of the email system.

  The new email also afforded him the opportunity to take his mind off of things and make time pass quickly.

  How many emails had he drafted? A ton? He had something to say to everyone. Why? He just felt like it and again it passed time. Because Joe just couldn’t wait until the wedding. Plus, Lord knew when his mood would be so good. Using the ‘copy and paste’ method, Joe was almost done getting them all out.

  “Okay.” He sighed out and pulled the email address list to him. “Ellen ... what is your …” he ran his index finger down the list. “Here.” He typed in the address, then after doing so, highlighted the letter from the word processing program. Ready to paste into the body of the email, there was a knock on the door. Joe heaved out a breath. “Hold on.”

  He focused on the computer, whoever was at the door was going to have to wait until he finished.

  ****

  Jimmy didn’t realize how long his hair actually was until it wasn’t there. Bentley did a nice job, even adding a dab of hair hold to it to give it that controlled look. Jimmy scratched the short prickly hairs on the back of his head as the program finished loading.

  He then resorted to biting his nails.

  Done.

  Sweet.

  Jimmy smiled. He had read the pamphlet and was ready to go. He was pumped. Opus 17 by the Four Seasons played loudly as inspiration to work.

  He opened the audio decoder. He actually had a good feeling, and he then opened the snippet file of the future video.

  When he first ran it through, nothing was different, and then he started selecting the different levels of decoding.

  Play…

  Here’s …static…the chain of …static…. In a very short time …static…On …static…day, …static… will be murdered. This …static… Hal to …static… leadership position.

  Stop. Adjust. Next. Play.

  We … not prepared. Here’s what … gins the chain of events. In a very short time from now, noon, On ank ed day, … will be murdered. This causes Hal to assume leadership position.

  “Yes!” Jimmy clenched his fist, words broke through. He rewound, cleared off the music, and tweaked.

  …from now, noon, On Frank ed day, Joe will be murdered. This causes Hal to assume leadership position.

  Stop. Jimmy blinked. What did he just hear?

  Again.

  …from now, noon, On Frank ed day, Joe…

  Back up, again. Tweak …

  …from now, noon, On Frank’s wed day, Joe

  Fuck. Again.

  …from now, noon, On Frank’s wedding day, Joe

  “Oh my God,” he gasped and rewound the message.

  We were not prepared. Here’s what begins the chain of events. In a very short time from now, noon, On Frank’s wedding day, Joe will be murdered. This causes Hal to assume leadership position.

  Crash!

  The coffee cup dropped from Hal’s hand as he stepped into the room and heard. “Good God.”

  “No. No, Hal this isn’t what we heard.” Jimmy hit play again.

  We were not prepared. Here’s what begins the chain of events. In a very short time from now, noon, On Frank’s wedding day, Joe will be murdered. This causes Hal to assume leadership position.

  Hand to his mouth Jimmy stood up. “Oh, my God.” He looked at his watch at the same time as Hal.

  11:53 am.

  With a toss of the phone to Jimmy, Hal grabbed the keys to the jeep and rushed to the door, “Call Frank. Let’s go.”

  With Jimmy dialing, they raced with everything they had from the apartment, not even bothering to shut the door.

  ****

  Frank laughed as he sat on the console counter in the communications room. “They aren’t radio instructions that lead to nowhere, Danny. Tell him Robbie.”

  Robbie rocked in the chair. “George is positive of it. I really think he’s right this time.”

  Danny shook his head. “No, it’s not here.”

  Frank chuckled. “You’re only on page 100. I mean …” his phone rang. “Hold that thought.” He lifted his phone. “Yeah.”

  The panicked and desperate sound of Jimmy’s voice in his one word of ‘Frank’, made Frank stand up.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Find Dad. Get to Dad. We cracked the code. He’s dying in six minutes, Frank.”

  Immediately, ‘I can get there in six minutes’ went through Frank’s mind as he rushed to the door. “I’m on my way.”

  “Hurry, so are we.”

  Robbie stood. “What’s wrong?”

  With urgency, Frank ordered, “Get a hold of Dad, keep him on the line. Jimmy cracked the code. We have six minutes.” Frank flew from the room.

  Danny’s eyes widened, “He’s in his office.”

  Robbie, hands shaking, fumbled with the phone, as he raced for the door. He dialed. Listened. Busy.

  “Busy. Fuck!” Jimmy slammed his hand against the phone. “Come on, Dad.”

  “Try again,” Hal pushed the limits of his driving. “Try again.”

  “Oh, my God. Oh, my God.” Jimmy dialed. “Please. Please. Please. Fuck! Busy.”

  “Fuck!” Robbie’s loud word echoed across the tunnels. “Frank. Frank come in. Where are you?” he called on the radio.

  “Taking the tunnel route.”

  “I can’t get a hold of Dad, it’s busy.”

  “Keep trying.”

  No sooner did Frank hang up, his phone rang. “Yeah.”

  “Frank,” It was Hal. “We can’t get a hold of Dad. The phone is busy.”

  “Stop. I have Robbie on it. You guys are crossing lines. Just get here. I’m almost there. I can make. I can make it.”

  If ever Frank was grateful for being given the gift of speed, he was at that moment. Because with each pounding, fast step he took, he prayed. He prayed that he would be there in time.

  “Captain?” Elliott called out curiously, as he knocked on the open door. He knew it was odd. The Captain never left his door ajar. He walked in, calling out again. “Captain?”

  Nothing.

  He stopped, and was readying to leave when he saw the laptop. It was on. A cigarette was still burning in the ashtray, he put it out and ran his hand over the mouse pad. An image of a worn torn Jason was on the screen. Looking at the little triangle, Elliott pressed play.

  We were not prepared. Here’s what begins the chain of events. In a very short time from now, noon, On Frank’s wedding day, Joe will be murdered. This causes Hal to assume leadership position.

  He gasped at the shock of it, looked at his watch, and raced from the apartment.

  “Dad,” Robbie sighed out when he reached him. “Oh, God, Dad, where are you?”

  “I’m in my office right now. You aren’t gonna believe this Robbie, in fact …”

  “Dad listen to me. J
ust ….” Robbie paused. Tell him? Don’t tell him? Keep him on the line until Frank arrived. “You’re in your office?”

  “Yes, I was working on something when …”

  “I love you, Dad.”

  Joe chuckled. “I love you, too, Robbie. Where is this coming from?”

  Robbie closed his eyes tightly. “From the heart.”

  “Wow.”

  “Dad, talk to me. Okay?”

  “Robbie I can’t, I’ll be seeing you in a bit. Wait till you hear what I have to tell you.”

  “Dad, please talk to me. Please.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I just … I just am feeling funny.”

  “Is it the wedding?” Joe asked.

  “Yeah, sort of.”

  “Robert. Listen can we talk in a bit. Meet me and Jason at the Social Hall. Okay, right now I have to …”

  “Dad, I just need to talk. Right now. Not then. Not about anything, I just need you to talk to you. Please.”

  There was a slight hesitation, then a breath, and Joe calmly replied. “Absolutely, talk.”

  “Almost there!” Frank blasted over the phone climbing up the rungs

  “Us, too, Frank,” Hal said. “We’re full speed.”

  “Meet you there,” Frank said.

  “With Dad.”

  “Absolutely.” Frank hung up, placed the phone in his pocket. He felt a sense of relief, he could see the line of utility buildings in the distance. His dad’s office. He looked at his watch. Two minutes to spare.

  “The line of utility buildings. Very important decisions are made here.” Jenny walked backwards like a tour guide, leading a group of children. As they made their way up the grade. “Now, we’re gonna go see the leader, Joe. Our President. Davey, you may want to save the battery power on the camera.”

  Little Davey lifted the camera, at seven years old it was quite the chore. “No, I’m good. Miss Jenny.” He went from her to the buildings.

  Billy’s voice carried out. “Holy cow.”

  “What honey?” Jenny asked.

  Billy pointed to the trees. “Why is Uncle Frank running so fast?”